Abstract

This research discusses the transformation in customary tenure toward commercialization
and appropriation in Olilit village, Tanimbar Islands. The study analyzes several factors
leading to the customary institutional change. It also looks at the roles of actors shaping
the changes and how the actor mostly the elites usurp the benefit from the process.
Since the process of individualization has been a widespread trend and seems to be
inevitable in the future, the research suggests the community to think carefully regarding
their decision toward customary land. Any decisions they made should be based on
voluntary with sufficient information at hand. This research also suggests the community
to invest themselves in order to deal with the livelihood change after having no access to
the land.